Work ethic is a term commonly used for describing employee commitment and dedication to get a job well done. In simple terms, employees who carry out a productive and full day’s work, and who make a continuous effort to learn and improve, have a good work ethic. By contrast, employees who consciously do the bare minimum to keep their job, and are unwilling to make much of an effort to learn and improve their performance to achieve better results, have a poor work ethic.

Generation Gap – Real or Perceived?

Not surprisingly, there does not appear to be any credible research that evaluates whether work ethic may be improving or deteriorating across generations. A somewhat difficult subject to study objectively (what criteria or standards should be used?), and a rather controversial issue for any researcher to take on (will my conclusions be accepted?). Intuitively, I would venture that every generation perceives that it has (or had) a better work ethic than the next one, and most everyone (except the youngest generation of workers) probably thinks that work ethic is deteriorating.

What most people are noticing is that good customer service is increasingly difficult to find, which is evidently associated with poor work ethics. Many employees are improperly trained or do not seem to care, while others appear to be overwhelmed. On the flipside, jobs are generally more demanding and complex than they used to be. For example, older generations remember a time when voice-mail and email did not exist, and leaving the office empty handed at five o’clock was the norm, not to be bothered with anything related to work until the next morning. Older generations also remember a time when computer skills were not required, information overload did not exist, the Internet and ecommerce were not invented, and few things ever seemed urgent enough for evening work.

In times of tight labor markets (like we have now), power shifts to employees and work ethic tends to deteriorate. Alternatively, when jobs are scarce and unemployment is high, power shifts to employers and work ethic improves, mainly because employees fear losing their job. Human nature being what it is, this dynamic can be expected across all generations. If there are limited consequences for poor work ethic, one can only expect that it will become prevalent.

Employer Perceptions – A Reality Check for Graduates

A 2022 job outlook survey conducted by that National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reports that 87% of employers believe that professionalism is “very important” but that only 44% of new graduates employed are proficient in it.¹ According to the NACE “professionalism is one of the competencies students need to be career ready, and employers are seeking evidence of it in students that they recruit and hire.”² Professionalism and work ethic are closely related. Acting professionally requires a good work ethic, and a good work ethic includes professionalism. The very significant gap in professionalism (real or perceived) suggests that a rather big problem exists with the new generation of workers, at least from the perspective of employers.

Interestingly, most job search organizations with platforms designed to help employees find jobs such as Glassdoor, Indeed, Monster and Robert Half have definitions, information and advice on work ethic. Here’s how these organizations describe work ethic:

• Glassdoor:  “Employees with strong work ethic skills exemplify determination and commitment to their role within their organization and are highly valuable to employers. People with work ethic understand that hard work is a natural part of the job, and aren’t intimidated by the need to put in the effort to succeed in the workplace.”³

• Indeed:  “Work ethic is a belief in the principle that hard work and dedication lead to success. Good work ethic is an important trait that motivates an individual to uphold high moral standards at work. Typically, work ethic encompasses a set of behavioral principles or attributes such as excellent punctuality and organization, a dedication to producing quality work, and being respectful toward your colleagues. A good work ethic suggests the job candidate takes their tasks seriously and behaves responsibly in a professional setting.”⁴

• Monster:  “A person with a great work ethic is: cooperative, dedicated, productive, professional and reliable. They pull their weight and, if a problem arises, they hold themselves accountable. They deliver on deadline, and are the first to admit room for improvement. You’ll see these people working well on a team, and always carrying themselves professionally. They make an organization’s standards their own and respect their co-workers, but they will call out inappropriate behavior. These employees welcome opportunities to learn from their managers without brown nosing. They understand the value of networking without being artificial.”⁵

• Robert Half: “Dedication, commitment, effort, loyalty – all these qualities comprise good work ethic. It’s about being committed to a role, taking pleasure from the successes, being propelled and inspired by challenge and change, and being a great advocate for an organization, internally and externally. Good work ethic doesn’t mean exhausting yourself (…), rather, it means applying yourself and your skills in the most effective and rewarding way possible.”⁶

The above statements are very explicit and not by accident. Employers value work ethic, and job search organizations have an interest in helping job seeking individuals demonstrate a good work ethic (in their resume and after being hired). The fact that job search organizations go out of their way to explain work ethic is quite revealing. They seem to have the best descriptions available on work ethic. Their information gets listed at the top of Google searches on the subject.

Employee Rewards – You Reap What You Sow

Employees who do not put in much effort into their work should not expect much in return from their employer. They also put themselves at risk of being let go in a downturn, and may not even have a good work reference to put on their resume when looking for a new job. In the worst of cases, they may have to go in a totally different line of work (starting over), because their knowledge, skills and experience may not be perceived very positively by employers offering similar jobs.

Alternatively, employees who demonstrate a good work ethic get ahead with more interesting assignments and promotions. Such employees are also unlikely to lose their job in a downturn, and will be rehired very quickly if they are ever let go. According to Robert Half, “if you can exhibit that you have a good work ethic, then expect to be seen as a great candidate, eligible for new oppor-tunities and positions throughout your career. (…) Good work ethic is a reflection on your work style and your consistent ability to perform. It can open you up to myriad opportunities, and will play a key role in the successes you experience throughout your career.”⁷

Information Available – Action Required

Job search organizations such as Glassdoor, Indeed, Monster and Robert Half have an abundance of information and advice on work ethic. Although the information is tailored to people looking for jobs, it is just as relevant for employers who want to communicate the importance of work ethic as part job interviews, job offers, employee handbooks, codes of ethics, etc. Employers cannot expect that all employees will automatically demonstrate a good work ethic. Communication, training, positive reinforcement, incentives, counselling and sanctions have always been necessary across generations to motivate desirable behaviors. Cultural differences and diversity in the work place make it even more important for employers to communicate expectations. When it comes to work ethic, job search organizations outline many desirable attributes (Table 1).

Conclusion

Although work ethic is a rather difficult subject to explain, there is very good information available to guide employees who want to improve their work ethic, and to help employers who want to outline expectations. Employers who complain that employees do not have a very good work ethic have no excuse but to clarify and communicate expectations, provide the necessary feed-back, and hold employees accountable. Being very clear up front with new hires (and with everybody else on the payroll) is the first essential step. Leading by example is also fundamental. Rewarding employees with a good work ethic, and sanctioning those with a poor work ethic, are equally important.

Helpful Sources of Information on Work Ethic

• Glassdoor:  www.glassdoor.com/blog/guide/work-ethic-skills/
• Indeed:  ca.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/work-ethic
• Monster:  www.monster.com/career-advice/article/work-ethic
• Robert Half:  www.roberthalf.com.au/career-advice/career-development/work-ethic
• Harvard Business Review:  Tutti Taygerly, How to Develop a Strong Work Ethic (Harvard Business Review, 09/14/2022, /hbr.org/2022/09/how-to-develop-a-strong-work-ethic).

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¹ Tutti Taygerly, How to Develop a Strong Work Ethic, (Harvard Business Review, September 14, 2022).
² Kevin Gray, Addressing the Shifting Standards of Professionalism, (NACE, March 4, 2022).
³ Glassdoor Team, What Is Work Ethic? Skills and Tips (Glassdoor, June 29, 2021)
⁴ Indeed Editorial Team, Work Ethic and Success in the Workplace, (Indeed, July 11, 2023)
⁵ Libby Rutkey (Monster Contributor), Tips to Improve Your Work Ethic, (Monster, Undated).
⁶ Robert Half Talent Solutions, Work Ethic, (Robert Half, Undated).
⁷ Robert Half Talent Solutions, Work Ethic, (Robert Half, Undated).